Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

“What great killing weapon can be refined in three months?”

The crowd erupted in discussions, fraught with shock and uncertainty.

It couldn’t be helped; the actions of the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion over these three months had indeed been baffling.

But now, speculation was pointless. The outcome would speak for itself.

“Boom!”

Another thunderous roar sounded as a sword broke through the sky, transforming into the Nine Heavens Giant Ship, anchoring itself in one corner of the heavens.

“The Ninth Heaven Sword Pavilion?”

“They’ve arrived first!”

Everyone’s gaze sharpened, sensing an unusual air.

Atop the Nine Heavens Giant Ship, an old man in black stood with his hands behind his back, with Yue Qing’er, her brows furrowed, and the cold-faced Xiao Zhang behind him.

This battle was different from before. For the Ninth Heaven Sword Pavilion, it was potentially harmful and without any benefit.

In the previous duel, for Li Cangwu, the victor would dominate the Southern Sea, and even in defeat, he wouldn’t lose much, the worst being Xiao Zhang’s damaged reputation.

But after the last fight, with Mahayana intervening to save Xiao Zhang’s life and forcefully altering the course of the battle, the Ninth Heaven Sword Pavilion had lost all its prestige.

Now, against Li Xuanyuan, who was merely of the Return to Void cultivation, even if Xiao Zhang won, he couldn’t salvage the lost face and might even make it worse.

To win brought no benefit, whereas defeat promised dire consequences, not only loss of face but also a risk to life.

Therefore, this battle presented nothing but adverse effects for the Ninth Heaven Sword Pavilion, the risks not worth the gains at all.

Nevertheless, for Xiao Zhang’s sake, they had to come—there was no choice.

In the previous confrontation, the Heaven Sword clashed against Xiao Zhang, who lost to Li Cangwu, casting a shadow over him.

Now, with Li Xuanyuan pressing him with the name of justice, if Xiao Zhang did not respond, he would effectively confirm the other’s previous accusations.

The looks of others, the whispers, and the facts of defeat and cowardice would become obstacles to Xiao Zhang’s spiritual path, likely impeding his progress to Mahayana and surviving the Heavenly Tribulation.

This was the momentum created by fame and influence. Previously, they used this tactic to force Li Cangwu into battle; now, as stars shifted, they, too, felt the pressure of being coerced.

It was most unpleasant!

Thus, it was no wonder that Xiao Zhang looked so troubled.

The man in black stood at the forefront, hands behind his back, too busy to concern himself with his direct disciple’s feelings. His eyes swept the battlefield within and outside the Canglang Ruins, as if searching for some clue.

Cautious!

Unease!

They had no idea until they saw for themselves; upon deeper investigation, they realized just how thorny a character Li Xuanyuan was.

Of unknown origins and unclear depth.

Supreme in both artifact and array formation skills, a grandmaster among masters.

His swordsmanship was unfathomable, terrifying both gods and demons.

Rooted in the Southern Sea for no more than a hundred years, yet he had forged such momentum.

Moreover, his performances and the various actions of the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion over these past three months…

To be honest, he felt uncertain!

Such a man, though he valued relationships, would never act without reason.

He dared to challenge Xiao Zhang to a life-and-death sword duel; he must have something to rely on, perhaps even full confidence.

This battle put Xiao Zhang in an extremely perilous situation.

But there was nothing he could do.

He had once thought of sneaking into the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion to probe Li Xuanyuan’s foundations, even harboring ideas of a direct assassination.

But with the Lingbao Island market bustling over these three months, drawing crowds and attention, unless he was prepared to discard all dignity of the Ninth Heaven Sword Pavilion, there was no chance for such actions.

So, trapped like a man riding a tiger, they had no choice but to come, taking the risk.

“This person’s cultivation must be hidden; if not Mahayana, then at least Integration.”

“Add to that, mastery in the Heaven Sword Tao and swordsmanship, even higher than Li Cangwu’s.”

“There’s also the mastery of array and artifact skills… Such a formidable pair…”

“In this fight, there’s no chance for Zhang Er to win; the most he can do is to save his own life.”

“Yet his intent to kill is resolute, making it clear it’s a fight to the death!”

“Must I tarnish my old face again to save him?”

“Or…”

Zhou Yuan was torn. He looked back at Xiao Zhang and tentatively said, “There’s still a chance to retreat from this now.”

“Master!”

Xiao Zhang’s expression was icy as he replied firmly, “I am aware of his extraordinariness, but I am not a fish to be slaughtered at will. He conceals his cultivation; if it’s Integration, I have the Qiankun Heart-Protecting Armor to ensure I won’t die. If he’s a Mahayana, Master, your intervention would be justified. No one could fault that, nor could they tarnish the reputation of our sword pavilion!”

“…”

Hearing this, Zhou Yuan was rendered helpless, “Then, it’s up to you!”

With those words, he gave up on persuasion.

Having done so much, he had exhausted all kindness and duty. Even if Xiao Zhang met with misfortune, the Xiao Family could not blame him.

So… let it be!

“Boom!!!”

Before he could settle his thoughts, another rumble of wind and thunder approached; a sword light soared rapidly towards them.

“He’s here!”

“The Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion!”

“Li Xuanyuan!”

Amidst the exclamations, the sword light plunged into the battlefield, hovering above the ruins.

“You rats, come forth and meet your end!”

A single cold command fiercely provoked the opponent.

“Madman!”

Xiao Zhang’s eyes turned cold, and he soared into the air with his sword, entering the fray to confront his opponent head-on, “Today I shall see just how capable you are, daring to make such a racket.”

Having said that, he waved a sleeve, releasing a five-colored brilliance like a sword, merging the principles of the Five Elements and forming a Qiankun Formation.

“The Five Elements Xuanyuan Sword?”

“This…!”

Everyone present was utterly astonished.

The man who had successfully bid for the Five Elements Xuanyuan Sword at the East Lai gathering, it turned out to be this Sword Disciple, Xiao Zhang.

You’ve won this treasure, and now you’re using it against its former master?

Has your brain gone bad?

The crowd was filled with disbelief and doubt, but Xiao Zhang simply sneered. The Five Elements Sword quickly formed a sword formation in the blink of an eye.

The way of the Heaven Sword combines swordsmanship, thunder series, and formations, so Xiao Zhang was also versed in Array Formation.

Furthermore, his fight with Li Cangwu had destroyed his Medium-Grade Immortal Artifact sword, so now he naturally used the Five Elements Xuanyuan Sword against his enemy.

As for the sword being used against its former master, whether there were risks…

The Heaven Sword Cultivator had no such concerns, for the Heaven Sword reigned supreme. Even heaven and earth could be commanded, why would there be fear of any residual mana points?

The five swords formed a formation, stretching from earth to heaven. Xiao Zhang said no more and unleashed the Nine Heavens Sword Cultivator’s Spell, ready to show the might of the Heaven Sword once again.

However…

“A clownish act, playing the expert in the master’s house!”

Xu Yang swung his sleeve grandly, the Tai Chi Diagram spun, and he wrested control of Qiankun.

“Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!”

One could only hear the sound of metal resonating, the sword’s chime crisp and clear, as the Five Elements Sword Formation collapsed in an instant. The five Xuanyuan swords turned into five streaks of light, rushing into the Qiankun Sleeve and disappearing without a trace.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Seeing this, everyone fell silent.

Only Xiao Zhang, eyes wide with shock and anger: “Such capability, you are certainly not at the Return to Void stage, what exactly are you…?”

His exclamations weren’t due to a lack of prior awareness but rather a confirmation that his opponent was concealing something, indeed, he was a Mahayana Sovereign.

This way, he could not only maintain his own Dao heart but also call for powerful reinforcements and request his master to join the fight and assist.

It must be said, Xiao Zhang’s mind was truly nimble.

Yet…

Xu Yang waved one sleeve to collect the swords and break the formation, while with the other hand, he pointed and launched a sword attack.

“Boom!!!

Thunder shook violently, and two swords emerged like dragons, vigorous and lively.

It was…

“The Heavenly Thunder Double Swords!?”

Everyone’s pupils tightened as they saw the Sky Strike Thunder Flame merge into one, becoming a sword that shot straight into the heavens.

Ninth Heaven?

Xiao Zhang’s face changed, as he tried to retreat, he saw the Heavenly Thunder Sword light shoot straight up into the Ninth Heaven, striking towards that giant ship.

“How dare you, you impudent fool!”

An unforeseen transformation threw the crowd into chaos. From within the Nine Heavens Giant Ship, came a sword light cutting through to meet the Sky Strike Thunder Flame.

Xu Yang paid no attention, only looking at Xiao Zhang, as his sword technique summoned the approaching killing intent.

In an instant…

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

The sound of thousands of weapons rang out, resounding and vibrating.

Around the battlefield, within a thousand miles, cultivators hurriedly pressed down their weapons, and even the magical treasures in their bags.

The vibration of thousands of weapons, the nurturing of thousands of swords, streams of Sword Qi condensed, filling the void and covering the sky.

Sword Formation!

The Nine Ceremony Sword Formation!

Although it was a hasty formation, influencing only a thousand miles and ultimately only a hundred miles forming the swords, it still had billions of mighty streams forming the sword formation.

“Zhang Er, retreat quickly!!!”

From high above, Zhou Yuan broke through the Sky Strike Thunder Flame, hurriedly entering the fray, and shouting a warning.

Sword Formation!

A premeditated sword formation with early arrangements!

Why hadn’t he noticed it before, not even a hint of it?

Could it be that this person’s skill in Array Formation had reached such a level that even he, the Mahayana True Immortal, couldn’t see the slightest clue?

No, no, it wasn’t just an Array Formation!

The sword merged with heaven and earth, it was one with the universe!

This was… the Heaven Sword Formation!

Zhou Yuan was panic-stricken and extremely urgent as he rushed into the formation to the rescue.

Xiao Zhang was also startled awake, looking at the sky filled with sword shadows, he clenched his teeth and quickly channeled his mana, with the Yin and Yang Qi within his body suddenly appearing, transforming into the Qiankun Bagua, maintaining a defensive stance.

It was a Superior Immortal Implement, a life-preserving treasure—the Qiankun Heart-Protecting Armor!

In such a critical moment, blind escape equated to suicide.

Only by standing firm and waiting for reinforcements was there a chance of survival.

With the sturdiness of the Qiankun Heart-Protecting Armor, it should hold until his master’s help arrived.

Xiao Zhang clenched his jaw, decided on his strategy, and the Qiankun Heart-Protecting Armor’s power was fully showcased, enveloping him inside.

A Superior Immortal Implement, ranked at the Eighth Order, corresponding to Mahayana.

As an Integration cultivator, a Saint Heir of the Immortal Sect, he could also bring out the full potential of this treasure with his full effort.

However…

“Boom!!!

The myriad of swords surged forth like a mighty tide, and the world seemed to resonate, coalescing into a dazzling light.

A Holy Sword, magnificent and brilliant, reflecting the sun, moon, and stars, vegetation, mountains, and rivers, showing the grandeur of the world, and also displaying scenes of war and peace, the chaos of human hearts, the flow of years, the smoke of history, everything human condensed within.

The Xuanyuan Divine Sword Spell!

Though lacking a sword artifact, there was divine power, a sword so resplendent burst forth, breaking through the Qiankun Bagua.

“!!!!!”

Xiao Zhang’s expression changed, mana surged urgently, Qiankun Bagua merged as one, ready to withstand this ultimate move.

Unexpectedly…

“Snap!!”

A soft sound, Sword Qi erupted, and the Immortal Armor took damage.

Xiao Zhang’s pupils contracted, his gaze falling upon his freshly repaired Qiankun Heart-Protecting Armor, where a sword mark had become evident.